A CATHOLIC religion teacher from Peakhurst charged with the indecent and sexual assault of an under-age girl was released from custody after $50,000 was posted for his bail last week, court documents reveal.
Gerard Mahony, 48, was working as the religious education co-ordinator at De La Salle College, Revesby Heights, at the time of his arrest on September 23.
He spent the night in jail after police arrested him at Casula and charged him with nine offences, police said.
Police allege the offences, including five counts of indecent assault of a child under the age of 10 and the aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 16, took place between 1992 and 1999 at Earlwood.
The father-of-two was also charged with two counts of common assault and committing an act of indecency with a child aged under 10.
Mahony appeared briefly before Campbelltown Local Court on Monday, September 24, where magistrate Christopher O'Brien granted him bail on the condition he reside at his Peakhurst house and report to Riverwood police station once a week.
Sydney Catholic Education Office communications head Mark Rix said Mahony would not return to the school until the matter was finalised in court.
He said it was policy for all staff accused of such offences to be stood down.
"An allegation of this kind involving a member of staff from one of our schools is distressing for the whole community," Mr Rix said.
"While the matter does not involve staff or students from this or any other of our schools, we will provide whatever support and assistance the school may need and will co-operate fully with any aspect of police investigation as required," he said.
His matter is listed for mention at the same court in November.
